Recent News and Services

WELCOME TO CHRISTCHURCH'S TRANSITIONAL CATHEDRAL

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Situation Vacant ~ Assistant Organist

We are looking to appoint an Assistant Organist from October 2018, when the current incumbent returns to Ireland. Duties include accompanying the Cathedral Choir (a fully professional choir of men and boys and the oldest continuous musical entity in New Zealand) for six services each week during term time, overseeing care and maintenance of the Cathedral’s Rodgers digital organ, and occasionally acting as deputy for the Director of Music.
This position pairs nicely with other positions in Christchurch, allowing for other employment opportunities. Applications close 15 July 2018.
Please contact the Director of Music Dr John Linker at
dom@christchurchcathedral.co.nz or phone +64 3 366 0046 or +64 21 105 0961 for further information.

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A welcome from the Dean

Alleluia, Christ is Risen!

He is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Welcome to the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral.

The joyful season of Easter begins today as the Cathedral proclaims that Christ is risen, that in Christ a new age has dawned, the long reign of sin is ended, a broken world is renewed and humanity is made whole once again. The Cathedral is looking beautiful, bedecked with flowers and an Easter Garden and with the large Paschal Candle proclaiming that the eternal light of Christ overcomes the darkness of death. A large Icon of the resurrection shows the risen Christ reaching out to a divided humanity, reconciling those who are alienated from each other and from God to create a renewed humanity. Our prayer is that all who visit this beautiful Cathedral will experience the peace of the risen Christ and know that his love is for everyone.

As always Transitional Cathedral is a beautiful place to come and visit, so please come on in. Built to the glory of God the quiet simplicity draws people to peace and to prayer and to contemplate the depths of God. When you are inside and look back outside through the wide open doors, the beautiful park setting of Latimer Square is fully in view. Whether you are a visitor, a pilgrim searching for God, or needing a place to pray, the door is open and you are welcome.

Through the resurrection of Christ, may God grant you healing, fulfil his promises. bless you with eternal life and bring you to the joy of heaven which lasts forever.

The Very Rev’d Lawrence Kimberley,

Dean of Christchurch

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The "Cardboard" Cathedral

Cathedrals usually stand as enduring monuments to human skill and inventiveness, and magnificent pointers to the presence of God among us. Their websites will tell you how they are the oldest, the largest, the tallest or the most significant of their kind.

ChristChurch Cathedral is slightly different. The original Cathedral was badly damaged in the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. We are operating from our new temporary home, the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square, Christchurch. It is the world’s only cathedral made substantially of cardboard.

This web site aims to tell you something about who we are and what we stand for. It is a work in progress. It offers a glimpse of the building, its history and its environment. It provides information about Cathedral services and events, its music and arts programme, facilities for visitors and pilgrims, educational resources, stories about our community life and outreach, and an archive of recent sermons. We hope you will be inspired to visit Christchurch, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Cathedral.

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We are fundraising through the 2018 Entertainment Book. Buy your copy and support the Cathedral!

CLICK HERE to pre-order your copy and support the Cathedral. Copies will also be available from the Cathedral soon.

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COMING UP AT THE TRANSITIONAL CATHEDRAL ...

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Please come to any of the services, events and recitals below ...

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CONCERTS, EVENTS & FUNCTIONS AT THE CATHEDRAL

The Cathedral is available for a wide variety of events. Please see further down this page for full details, and the scrolling photos below. As well as catered events, the Cathedral is available for concerts and recitals. Please contact the Cathedral Administrator for further information.

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PechaKucha Night - 1 June

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WORSHIP AT THE TRANSITIONAL CATHEDRAL

You are very welcome to join any of the up-coming services at the Transitional Cathedral:

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Morning Prayer is said Monday to Friday at 8.30am. All welcome

For those who missed the Diocesan Farewell to Bishop Victoria Matthews it can be viewed by clicking HERE

Moveable Feasts event in the Cathedral

Moveable Feasts event in the Cathedral

Pets come to church!

A happy choir!

Cathedral Ciboria

Cathedral Gardeners

Confirmation and ...

... Ordination

The Transitional Cathedral is open every day from 9.00am. We close either at 5.00pm or at the conclusion of the evening service, whichever is later.

The regular weekly services are below, but please do check the schedule for the current week at the top of the home page for any changes to the usual schedule. Please note that weekday services of Choral Evensong only take place during school terms, and that the regular schedule may be reduced during January.

A pastoral letter to Diocese of Christchurch from Bishop Victoria

21 May 2017

Dear Friends,

Alleluia, Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia.

The question of the future Cathedral in the Square continues to be a concern to our city, diocese and country. Media commentary on the issue is relentless and you will be aware of the pressure that is being placed on the Church Property Trustees to make a decision to reinstate our beloved Cathedral building in the Square.

In the midst of all this the Church Property Trustees have struggled with what is the best decision for the Diocese of Christchurch and beyond. We have carefully sought expert advice on all aspects of a possible reinstatement and the government offer.

To better understand the views and feelings of the public we have recently undertaken another survey of the opinions in the public sphere. It found that people are still divided over whether to reinstate the Cathedral building in the Square or to commit to building a contemporary Cathedral that is inspirational and fit for purpose.

To date the view of the Church has been that we should proceed with a contemporary Cathedral. In 2013 our Synod voted for an inspirational Cathedral. Recently the Standing Committee expressed its view that a new Cathedral, costing no more than the insurance proceeds received for the Cathedral building in the Square, is its preferred option. A majority of the Church Property Trustees are also inclined to support the contemporary option. These preferences, however, are still not decisive and this is a vitally important question for our Diocese and country.

In light of the above, I have decided to reserve the question of the future of the Cathedral building in the Square to September 2017 for our diocesan Synod’s decision. This means that the members of the Synod will decide, rather than the Church Property Trustees. The Anglican (Diocese of Christchurch) Church Property Trust Act 2003 allows me as Chairperson of the Church Property Trustees to reserve matters before the Church Property Trustees to Synod for its decision.

One of the factors that influenced my decision was the strong recommendation of the diocesan clergy at our recent clergy conference to take the matter to our Synod. I acknowledge and thank the clergy who were present for their prayer, support and advice.

Before this is read out at church services on Sunday 21 May, I will be advising the Government Minister supporting Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Nicky Wagner, so she is not taken by surprise. A media release will follow after the announcement to our Diocese.

Alleluia, Christ is risen
He is risen indeed, Alleluia.

In the risen Christ,
+ VictoriaBishop of Christchurch

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Belltower plans progressing

The Cathedral Society of Bellringers held their AGM recently and updated members on progress with the Transitional Bell Tower at the Cathedral.

Work has been going on behind the scenes. The original plan has changed a bit. Instead of hanging the lightest of the old Cathedral bells in a ‘shipping container tower’, the current plan is to have a new ring of eight lighter bells, standing in an independent frame with cladding placed around it.

The benefits of this is that the project will be cheaper, easier to engineer and will just need a light cladding, rather than shipping containers

The Ringers are lucky in that the Keltek Trust, A UK-based trust that deals in redundant bells, has sourced seven bells for the project, meaning that only one needs to be newly cast

The next step is to draw up an architect’s brief and have further discussions with the architect. Following that, we need to get consent and planning costs finalised. Once this is done, the final project cost will be known and the ringers will know how much more fundraising is reqiured to top up the funds already in hand. Watch this space!

2018 is the 40th anniversary of the new ring of 12 bells that were installed in the old Cathedral in 1978. The ringers feel this is an ideal target date to have the new tower ringing.
In the meantime the Cathedral ringers are grateful to the ringers and parish of St Paul’s Papanui, for allowing them to join practice nights and to ring quarter peals.

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CARDBOARD CATHEDRAL BOOK WINS MAJOR BOOK DESIGN PRIZE

16 July 2015 - Media Release

The book that ruled them all at the PANZ Book Design Awards 2015 was Cardboard Cathedral by Andrew Barrie which won the best illustrated and best typography categories of the awards for designer Janson Chau and publisher Auckland University Press.

“Contemporary seems an obvious word when talking about Cardboard Cathedral but this possibly overused description is completely appropriate here,” said international guest judge Miriam Rosenbloom, Creative Director of Australian publisher Scribe. “Dive beneath the high-gloss jacket to discover the bold de-bossed and foiled type on the case which sets the standard for the rest of the book. Certainly the clever paper stock selection is the possible hero of the book, but every hero needs a side-kick and the typographic design of Cardboard Cathedral makes for a pretty dynamic duo.”

Cardboard Cathedral then went on to win the Gerard Reid Award for Best Book against competition from finalists in other categories. “In a year of strong entries Cardboard Cathedral stood out right from the start with its strong, bold design full of confidence and delicate touches,” said convening judge Cameron Gibb, Creative Director of neu design[graphic].

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CATHEDRAL ARCHITECT WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

The Dean, Chapter. staff and worshipping community of the Cathedral congratulate Shigeru on this honour.

Please click on the picture below for full details of the award.

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A ROYAL WELCOME

On Monday 14 April, it was our honour to welcome Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Cathedral, during their tour of New Zealand.

Their Royal Highnesses were presented with a copy of "Kia Kaha's Brand New House" a children's book about a Cathedral mouse in the Transitional Cathedral. The presentation was made by author, Clare Erasmus. Copies are available for sale at the Cathedral shop! [Photo: Woolf/Crown]

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Easter Service on Radio New Zealand:

An Easter Service from the Transitional Cathedral was broadcast on Radio New Zealand on Easter Day. You can listen to it by clicking HERE

Whats Happening 25 Feb

Whats Happening 4 March

Whats Happening 11 March

Bartholomew!

Hi! I am Bartholomew Bear, newly arrived at the shop! I come with my own Cathedral jersey and cardboard tube. I'm hoping that people will take me home and post pics from all over the world. This first pic shows me as far as the Cathedral garden!

New Cathedral Key rings ...

... and Lapel Badges now for sale

NEW "KIA KAHA" BOOK FOR SALE

The third in the "Kia Kaha" series about a cathedral mouse by Clare Erasmus is now for sale in the Cathedral Shop.

Kis Kaha 2016 Celndars and Christmas Cards on sale too!

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ADVENT CALENDARS

Traditional Advent Calendars on sale now.

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WOODEN CHRISTMAS STARS

Wooden Christmas star decorations made from wood from the old Cathedral

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CARDBOARD CATHEDRAL SHIGERU BAN

A new book about the Transitional Cathedral and its Architect

$45.00

To read a review of the book click on the link bwlow

Book review Shigeru Ban

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NEW ORGAN CD NOW ON SALE ~ $25.00

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Situation Vacant ~ Assistant Organist

We are looking to appoint an Assistant Organist from October 2018, when the current incumbent returns to Ireland. Duties include accompanying the Cathedral Choir (a fully professional choir of men and boys and the oldest continuous musical entity in New Zealand) for six services each week during term time, overseeing care and maintenance of the Cathedral’s Rodgers digital organ, and occasionally acting as deputy for the Director of Music.
This position pairs nicely with other positions in Christchurch, allowing for other employment opportunities. Applications close 15 July 2018.
Please contact the Director of Music Dr John Linker at
dom@christchurchcathedral.co.nz or phone +64 3 366 0046 or +64 21 105 0961 for further information.

The job description can be downloaded here:

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The Cathedral Choir

The City of Christchurch was founded in 1850, the first city in New Zealand to receive a charter from Queen Victoria. It is named after the College of Christ Church at Oxford University, where the founders of The Canterbury Association attended.

Christchurch Cathedral was consecrated on 1 November 1881, seventeen years after the foundation stone was laid. A choir, based on the English cathedral tradition, was deemed essential for the services of consecration, so the choir, and choir school, were founded six months beforehand.

Today, the Choir is the only men and boys choir in New Zealand and one of only two in the Southern Hemisphere with its own choir school, The Cathedral Grammar School, to which all choristers receive scholarships. The 18 boys range in age from eight to 13. They sing five services and ten rehearsals each week during school terms. In addition there are civic functions, concerts and recitals. The 10 men consist of four lay clerks (professional singers), and six Godley/Wakefield Scholars, receiving scholarships which cover tertiary education costs.

In 2008 the Choir undertook a very successful tour of the USA and UK, singing at many of the great Cathedrals and culminating in a week as residentiary choir at Westminster Abbey. A visit was made to Australia in 2013, where the Choir visited Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Goulburn.

Following they devastating earthquake in February 2011, the Cathedral community worshipped in the Chapel at Christ’s College, the private Anglican boys secondary school in Christchurch. In 2013, the Transitional Cathedral (often referred to as the “Cardboard” Cathedral, as cardboard forms much of the structure) was open and the full schedule of Cathedral worship has resumed there.

Organ brochure 2014 sm

The Cathedral Singers

The Singers are a mixed Choir who lead the music for choral services when the Cathedral Choir is away. They also have a number of other performances, including a very popular Christmas Concert. They are directed by Lennox Willett, a retired Cathedral Director of Music. Lennox recently announced his retirement and a search is underway to find a replacement. Details can be found at the top of the home page.

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The Director of Music

Dr John Linker is Director of Music at ChristChurch Transitional Cathedral (appointed 2014) where he leads the oldest musical entity in New Zealand, the ChristChurch Cathedral Choir. Concurrent to his Cathedral duties, John has the pleasure serving as Music Director for Christchurch City Choir (appointed 2016), an enthusiastic group of 70+ singers committed to the highest artistic excellence. Both the Cathedral Choir and the City Choir are integral to the religious, artistic, and musical life of the Canterbury region, and provide a sense of cultural stability in the ever changing landscape of Christchurch.A native of Princeton, Illinois, USA, John holds music degrees from Northern Illinois University (Bachelor of Music), Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University (Master of Music), and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Doctor of Musical Arts). John holds memberships and has held leadership positions in the Royal School of Church Music Canterbury Branch, the New Zealand Organ Association, the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Anglican Musicians, American Choral Directors Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity. Prior to coming to New Zealand, John led choir programmes in Kentucky and Illinois to critical acclaim. An active organist, John has performed throughout the US, the UK, Europe, and New Zealand, and was a featured performer for the New Zealand Organ Association National Congress. In addition to teaching, John is passionate about chamber music and collaborative music making. His greatest joy is any adventure with his wife Molly and their daughter Lila.www.johnlinker.com

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The Assistant Organist

Mr Harry Meehan was appointed in July 2016.

He hails from Dublin, where he was born in 1994 and comes to NZ now after a remarkable journey around UK organs and churches.

At the age of 16, he became one of the youngest ever organ scholars at St Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Harry held the scholarship for two consecutive years. During this time he accompanied the Cathedral choir regularly on the glorious Willis organ for their twelve weekly sung services.

In 2012, Harry moved to Truro in Cornwall to take up the Cathedral’s organ scholarship for a year. There he played an active role in its thriving music department and was again spoiled by another renowned Willis organ. During this time, he was awarded an organ scholarship to The Queen’s College, Oxford University, where he has just completed an undergraduate music degree. His duties in Oxford included conducting the famous Queen’s Chapel Choir as well as accompanying them on the world-renowned Frobenius organ. In addition, he has worked with the boys and men of the choir of St. Giles’ Church, as their Senior Organ Scholar, and was organist to the Christ Church College Choir and Assistant Organist at Hertford College.

Harry has played live on both Irish and English radio and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

Street Address

The Transitional Cathedral is located at 234 Hereford Street. An easy walk from the any point in the central city, the Cathedral sits at the southern end of Latimer Square, beside the future 'Green Frame'. Travel to the central city from the airport takes around 20 minutes by bus or taxi. There is no public car parking at the Cathedral. However, there is plenty of street parking nearby. There is a disabled park in the staff carpark off Madras Street for visitors to the Cathedral.

Cathedral in the Square

The Transitional Cathedral is only a five minute walk away from the site of the seriously damaged Cathedral in the Square. Walk northwest through Latimer Square to Worcester Street. 500 metres along Worcester St you'll see the damaged stone Cathedral.

CONTACT - will take you to a street view of the Cathedral in the Square showing both 'pre earthquake' and 'current'

Volunteering at the Transitional Cathedral

Around 200 volunteers support the Transitional Cathedral's life and work. They assist in different ways. Some support the services and the choir, while many enjoy greeting visitors as Transitional Cathedral guides, as shop assistant / receptionists or as ushers at evening events. Others work as cleaners or look after the garden.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer working with the Transitional Cathedral's visitors, it would be good to hear from you. Please contact Nicky Lee, Volunteer Manager.

Anglican Diocese

The Cathedral Grammar School is the Cathedral's Choir School.

As well as educating the Cathedral Choristers, the School provides high quality education for pre-school, primary school and intermediate aged girls and boys. Cathedral Grammar is an Anglican independent school, offering parents choice in the selection of a school to best suit their child's needs.

With a 130-year plus history, Cathedral Grammar is the longest established private primary school in New Zealand. The School takes huge pride in the varied, successful and happy lives of the boys and girls who have experienced ‘Grammar’ over that time.

Moveable Feasts ~ the Cathedral Caterers

Moveable Feasts are the providers for all catered events at the Transitional Cathedral. if you have any questions about the wide variety of catered events we can offer, please contact Sarah Robinson, General Manager.

Cathedral Regulars Email List

If you are a member of the worshipping community at the Cathedral and would like to sign up to the email list to receive information, please click on CONTACT below and follow the prompts.

The Friends of the Cathedral

People from all places and walks of life constitute the Friends of ChristChurch Cathedral. Friends are often people from far away, who are unable to attend Cathedral worship, but nevertheless have an affinity with the Cathedral.
Their interest and support is in both the old Cathedral as a great spiritual, historical and architectural treasure, and the Transitional Cathedral as a modern iconic and inspirational place of worship, pilgrimage and community.
The Friends of the Cathedral supports the ministry of the Cathedral. It is not a fundraising body for the re-instatement of the old Cathedral. A separate charitable entity is being established in 2018 for that purpose.We warmly invite you to join us on the exciting journey of belonging to one of New Zealand’s most valued icons as together we ensure the Cathedral’s ongoing life for future generations.

You can download the Friends Brochure by clicking on the link below. This will give you more information and tells you how to become a member. We look forward to hearing from you!

Wedding Info 2015

BAPTISMS

Funerals

Please contact a member of staff for enquiries about having a funeral at the Transaitional Cathedral.

Your support is appreciated

We need your support. Donations in support of the ministry of the Transitional 'Cardboard' Cathedral are always gratefully appreciated. Please partner us in this important project by making a donation. Thank you.

You can donate online by clicking an amount below or you can donate to our bank account (details below). Donations are tax deductible for New Zealand tax payers. If you would like a receipt for a donation made please email the Cathedral Administrator on admin@christchurchcathedral.co.nz. If donating to our bank account, please put your name in one of the fields.